Last weekend I finally watched a movie I’ve heard about for a long time: Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket.
This movie was released over 20 years ago, a story about transformation of men into killing machines, about friendship, human psychology, and the torment of war.
The story is separated into two very different parts. The first half illustrates the metamorphosis of young men into US marines who are “born to kill”, emphasizes on a particular Private Pyle who dealt with the situation in a very different way. Though heavy, this section also features a very entertaining Drill Instructor who is most awesome with his usage of metaphors. Example:
Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: If you ladies leave my island, if you survive recruit training, you will be a weapon. You will be a minister of death praying for war. But until that day you are pukes. You are the lowest form of life on Earth. You are not even human, fucking beings. You are nothing but unorganized grabastic pieces of amphibian shit. Because I am hard you will not like me. But the more you hate me the more you will learn. I am hard but I am fair. There is no racial bigotry here. I do not look down on niggers, kikes, wops or greasers. Here you are all equally worthless. And my orders are to weed out all non-hackers who do not pack the gear to serve in my beloved Corps. Do you maggots understand that?
More quotes from FMJ here.
The second part of the movie reflects the cruelty of war in a very honest and in-your-face way. No romanticism, no heroism, just the very harsh reality of Vietnam war with pain, suffering, death, and pointless revenge being exhibit vividly.
The song Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones is used in the ending credits.
If you haven’t seen this movie yet, grab a copy of DVD, one of the best war movies ever made.
Maybank2u 2.0
In another totally unrelated event (except for the fact that Maybank painted their new site black), I attended the Maybank2u 2.0 preview last Monday at Marc’s Residence, KL. Events like this have since became a platform to catch up with friends in similar circle. Suan, David Lian, Erna, Michael, Thomas, Ringo, Nicholas, and more were all there.
Being in an IT field myself, I was actually quite captivated by the approach taken for the requirement study in the site redesign exercise. Very user oriented, and in my opinion, the result shows. A clean, light, and very easy to navigate website. Back end remains the same, but I believe most users will like what they see when they launch this site.
The buffet dinner served by Delicious at Marc’s Residence was, well, very delicious too. As for now, I am going to listen to Paint it Black for the nth time.
Updated (12:30am 15/07/08): The results are out!
#4 won by quite a big margin, followed by #5. The good news is, both of them are going go walk away with 2 tickets each. Yes it’s a surprised! I’ve been given another pair of tickets!
So congratulations to Yvonne (#5) and Kua Woon Chiun (#4), see you at the event! I’ve already sent emails to you. I would also like to thank everyone for participating! It was a lot better than what I had expected!
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Previously:
These are the drawings submitted by readers of this humble blogs for a chance to win two exclusive premier tickets to watch The Dark Knight sponsored by Nokia. Response has been great, and instead of me choosing a winner all by myself, I’m gonna let you guys vote on it.
Do pick vote for the best submission, and not because one of your friends told you to vote for him/her. The poll is at the bottom of this post. Voting closes on Monday midnight (14/7/2008). Winner will collect the ticket on the movie screening on Tuesday (15/7/2008). Lets get it on!
Some participants submitted more than one pictures, but I am only putting the best one instead. Good luck!
Entry #1:
Comical!
Entry #2:
This one’s very dreamy..
Entry #3:
Goddamnit!
Entry #4:
Batman, Joker, or Two Face?
Entry #5:
I won’t be able to draw this!
Entry #6:
Animated gif, emmm.
Entry #7:
This one is a photoshop work more than a drawing, but why not?
Yes, you read it right! I have two very exclusive premier tickets sponsored by Nokia to The Dark Knight for you! The details of the premier is as follow:
Date: 15th July 2008
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Dinner at Paradiso, 4th floor, The Gardens, Midvalley
Screening begins 8:45pm at GSC Signature cinemas, 4th floor, The Gardens, Midvalley
So yes, free dinner is included too, and there is more. Dressed as Batman, Joker, or any of the Batman characters during the event and stand a chance to win ze awesome Nokia N95 8GB! Plus, you get to meet some of the fehmes bloggers like Kim, Suan, Cheesie, the mysterious Eyeris, ST, and David Lian! Sweet deal isn’t it?
can’t wait to watch this movie myself!
I am sure there are quite a few of you who will want to watch the last full length movie by the talented Heath Ledger before his untimely death. The press review has been very positive on this film, and if it is as good as Batman Begins, it’ll be a very awesome film.
Now, to get your hands on this pair of tickets (twin seats too btw), instead of giving very complicated quiz like Eyeris, I’m gonna ask you to draw the Batman and Joker! Use your talent on Photoshop, MS Paint, paper, or anything, and then send me the copy at [ky at kyspeaks.com] before 10th of July. I will announce the winner with the most creative/wicked/awesome drawing on the same weekend and post it on this blog.
Limit your drawing to the dimension of 400×300 pixel, like the awesome example below that I just did, check out my talent ok!
this kinda drawing standard probably won’t win you anything
Send in your drawings to me already! Good luck!
You might want to draw some inspiration from http://www.nokia.com.my/batman too. Got goodies there ok.
Last Thursday I rushed to town right after work to attend the Made of Honor movie screening event, some of you might remember how I challenge Stewie on the fishing game (you owe me CKT, Stewie!) to get to this event. I was so excited for the 8 course meal at JW Marriot, and thought the movie was going to be a boring chick flick. However, the night didn’t quite turn out the way I expected.
Before I go any further, there are more pictures at facebook album here.
Robb, sparkling wine/champaign?, Lorna
My long time friend Lorna accompanied me to the event, and as we walked in, the JW Marriot PR lady sort of assumed we are married. When we said no, she immediately made another mistake and tried to convince us to have a wedding dinner there.. oh well.
As with most events littered with bloggers (some 10 tables of nuffnangers), there were plenty of camwhore sessions even before the dinner starts. There were some friends like ST, Kim, Tim, Wenqi, Ringo, Yee Hou, Nicholas, FA & Bob, Skyler, Su Ann, Robb, Stephanie, Aronil; some familiar faces; and some blog friends I met for the first time such as Suet Li and Atrica. And again, I’ve forgotten many new names like I always do.
Tim, Wenqi, Ringo, Kim, Suet Li, Nicholas, Bob, FA, Su Ann
The setup for the ballroom was excellent, better than most of the weddings I’ve attended. Flowers, candles, and everyone dressed up in suits and evening gowns. However, the food was rather disappointing. I only truly enjoy the soup from the eight course dinner, with the worst dish being the saffron risotto. I seriously didn’t know what the chef was thinking.
The champaign (or sparkling wine) with strawberry was excellent though. Lorna and I kept asking for more till the waiters gave us a funny look.
Made of Honor
I was initially very hopeful for the dinner but didn’t care much about the movie. However, Made of Honor, despite getting a rather low rating from IMDB, was a very enjoyable movie. The show was funny and even touching in several moments. If you enjoy chick flicks (I think I’ve developed the taste for it, a cardinal sin for a guy maybe?), you’ll enjoy this one. I didn’t want to say this, but I’ve enjoyed it as much as I did with How to lose a guy in 10 days. Hee-hee.
48.5 liters plus a tin of petrol, thanks Lorna!
On the way back, I over estimated my petrol reserve by around 3km and got pwned by my car at Jalan Parliament. My car was hungry and refused to work without feeding her the new and improved RM 2.70/liter petrol. I was stranded.
Lucky Lorna drove as well, and I had to call her (who was in front) for help. My princess charming came back 20 minutes later with a tin of wholesome hydrocarbon (RM 5 for the can, 15 for the fuel) and revived the little MR2. Thanks Lorna, I owe you a dinner.
Well at least now I know my car runs 364 kilometers in the city before it’s too late.
Thanks to Eyeris who managed to source a pair of extra tickets for Iron Man last night, I got to watch this show before the official release this weekend. Before you ask, the movie is awesome and totally kick ass, you have to watch it when it comes out this weekend. Now lets proceed to a bit of a “review” that might or might not contain spoilers, read at your own risk.
Tony Stark’s first armour
For those who didn’t grow up with American comics (ie: me, I was reading Chinese version of Doraemon and Lau Fu Tze), Iron Man has his super power not via genetic mutation nor being born on some other planet. Instead, somewhat like Bruce Wayne in Batman, Tony Stark is an industrialist who archive superpower-hood via his engineering brilliance. If you haven’t figured it out, he built the freaking armour that allows him to fly, shoot people, carry heavy loads, etc etc.
2nd version in the making
The story doesn’t stray very far from the typical superhero movies, with the introduction of the main character as an ordinary person to the transformation that makes him a superhero to the final fight with the super villain. The difference is, of course, Robert Downy Jr. fits the profile of Tony Stark perfectly, and Gwyneth Paltrow played a brilliant role in being Pepper Potts.
awesome or not?
Then there’s the absolutely awesome CG that blends it perfectly while bringing the awe factor not any less than Transformers. You’ll love the movie, watch it!
the enemy, iron monger
